Standard Test Method for Calibration of Primary Non-Concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Reference Cells Using a Tabular Spectrum

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The electrical output of a photovoltaic device is dependent on the spectral content of the illumination source, its intensity, and the device temperature. To make standardized, accurate measurements of the performance of photovoltaic devices under a variety of light sources, it is necessary to account for the error in the short-circuit current that occurs if the relative spectral response of the reference cell is not identical to the spectral response of the device to be tested. A similar error occurs if the spectral irradiance distribution of the test light source is not identical to the desired reference spectral irradiance distribution. These errors are accounted for by the spectral mismatch parameter (described in Test Method E 973), a quantitative measure of the error in the short-circuit current measurement. It is the intent of this test method to provide a recognized procedure for calibrating, characterizing, and reporting the calibration data for primary photovoltaic reference cells using a tabular reference spectrum.
The calibration of a reference cell is specific to a particular spectral irradiance distribution. It is the responsibility of the user to specify the applicable irradiance distribution, for example Tables G 173. This test method allows calibration with respect to any tabular spectrum.
A reference cell should be recalibrated at yearly intervals, or every six months if the cell is in continuous use outdoors.  
Recommended physical characteristics of reference cells can be found in Specification E 1040.
Because silicon solar cells made on p-type substrates are susceptible to a loss of Isc upon initial exposure to light, it is required that newly manufactured reference cells be light soaked at an irradiance level greater than 850 W/m2 for 2 h prior to initial characterization in Section 7.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is intended to be used for calibration and characterization of primary terrestrial photovoltaic reference cells to a desired reference spectral irradiance distribution, such as Tables G 173. The recommended physical requirements for these reference cells are described in Specification E 1040. Reference cells are principally used in the determination of the electrical performance of photovoltaic devices.
1.2 Primary photovoltaic reference cells are calibrated in natural sunlight using the relative spectral response of the cell, the relative spectral distribution of the sunlight, and a tabulated reference spectral irradiance distribution.
1.3 This test method requires the use of a pyranometer that is calibrated according to Test Method E 816, which requires the use of a pyrheliometer that is traceable to the World Radiometric Reference (WRR). Therefore, reference cells calibrated according to this test method are traceable to the WRR.
1.4 This test method is a technique that may be used instead of the procedures found in Test Method E 1362. This test method offers convenience in its ability to characterize a reference cell under any spectrum for which tabulated data are available. The selection of the specific reference spectrum is left to the user.
1.5 This test method applies only to the calibration of a photovoltaic cell that shows a linear dependence of its short-circuit current on irradiance over its intended range of use, as defined in Test Method E 1143.
1.6 This test method applies only to the calibration of a reference cell fabricated with a single photovoltaic junction.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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Historical
Publication Date
31-Mar-2005
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ASTM E1125-05 - Standard Test Method for Calibration of Primary Non-Concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Reference Cells Using a Tabular Spectrum
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:E1125–05
Standard Test Method for
Calibration of Primary Non-Concentrator Terrestrial
1
Photovoltaic Reference Cells Using a Tabular Spectrum
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1125; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method is intended to be used for calibration 2.1 ASTM Standards:
and characterization of primary terrestrial photovoltaic refer- E772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
ence cells to a desired reference spectral irradiance distribu- E816 Test Method for Calibration of Pyrheliometers by
tion,suchasTablesG173.Therecommendedphysicalrequire- Comparison to Reference Pyrheliometers
ments for these reference cells are described in Specification E948 Test Method for Electrical Performance of Photovol-
E1040. Reference cells are principally used in the determina- taicCellsUsingReferenceCellsUnderSimulatedSunlight
tion of the electrical performance of photovoltaic devices. E973 Test Method for Determination of the Spectral Mis-
1.2 Primary photovoltaic reference cells are calibrated in match Parameter Between a Photovoltaic Device and a
natural sunlight using the relative spectral response of the cell, Photovoltaic Reference Cell
therelativespectraldistributionofthesunlight,andatabulated E1021 Test Method for Spectral Responsivity Measure-
reference spectral irradiance distribution. ments of Photovoltaic Devices
1.3 This test method requires the use of a pyranometer that E1039 Test Method for Calibration of Silicon Non-
is calibrated according to Test Method E816, which requires Concentrator Photovoltaic Primary Reference Cells Under
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the use of a pyrheliometer that is traceable to the World Global Irradiation
Radiometric Reference (WRR). Therefore, reference cells E1040 Specification for Physical Characteristics of Non-
calibrated according to this test method are traceable to the concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Reference Cells
WRR. E1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy
1.4 Thistestmethodisatechniquethatmaybeusedinstead Conversion
of the procedures found in Test Method E1362. This test E1362 Test Method for Calibration of Non-Concentrator
method offers convenience in its ability to characterize a Photovoltaic Secondary Reference Cells
reference cell under any spectrum for which tabulated data are G173 Tables for Reference Solar Spectral Irradiances: Di-
available. The selection of the specific reference spectrum is rect Normal and Hemispherical on 37° Tilted Surface
left to the user.
3. Terminology
1.5 This test method applies only to the calibration of a
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this test
photovoltaic cell that shows a linear dependence of its short-
circuit current on irradiance over its intended range of use, as method may be found in Terminology E772 and Terminology
E1328.
defined in Test Method E1143.
1.6 This test method applies only to the calibration of a 3.2 Symbols:
3.2.1 The following symbols and units are used in this test
reference cell fabricated with a single photovoltaic junction.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the method:
l—Wavelength, nm or µm,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- I —Short-circuit current, A,
sc
−2
E—Irradiance, Wm ,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
−2
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. E—Total irradiance, Wm ,
t
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar, For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Geothermal,andOtherAlternativeEnergySourcesandisthedirectresponsibilityof contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2005. Published May 2005. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as E1125–99. DOI: Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
10.1520/E1125-05. on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E1125–05
−2 −1
E(l)—Spectral irradiance, Wm µm , 5.2 The calibration of a reference cell is specific to a
−1
R(l)—Spectral response, AW , particular spectral irradiance distribution.
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